The mystery set sail but questions remain

Monday 25 November 2019

While Guernsey Harbours has clarified that the MV Jireh was only at anchor here for more than a week because the island was "unable to offer overwintering berthing facilities" its appearance off the coast of Weymouth has already started raising questions there.

The vessel sailed away from St Peter Port Harbour on Saturday morning, having been at anchor in the Little Russel for more than a week.

Early on in its stay, the crew reported a shortage of clothes and food, and the Channel Island's Co-op and the Guernsey Red Cross shop sent over supplies. The nine-strong crew are not believed to have received any further relief parcels over the following week, despite also running short of drinking water which was also said to be being used as ballast on the ageing ship, which was built in 1971.

Pictured: The Red Cross shop on the Rohais sent warm clothes over to the nine crew members. 

As more questions were being asked about why the Nigerian registered boat was still in the Russel on Friday, the crew were preparing to leave.

It had initially dropped anchor off Jersey after being unable to berth there, before sailing into Guernsey waters. From here they headed north to Weymouth - despite their initial route reportedly being to Dakar. 

By Sunday evening, the Jireh was still at anchor but now off Portland.

Pictured: The MV Jireh was at anchor off the south coast of England on Sunday evening. 

After the Jireh had left Guernsey waters, Guernsey Harbours said it could "confirm the vessel left local waters on Saturday morning and was heading for the south coast of the UK.

"We remained in contact with the vessel throughout its stopover, but were unable to offer overwintering berthing facilities."

Within hours of the Jireh arriving off the coast of Weymouth, media in the area were asking questions similar to those raised in Guernsey.

The Dorset Echo's lead news story on Sunday evening related to the boat, with the newspaper reporting:

"A passenger ship which was allegedly denied entry to a port in the Channel Islands has anchored in Weymouth Bay."

Pictured: How the Dorset Echo reported the arrival of the MV Jireh. 

The Dorset Echo also repeated claims that the vessel had been refused permission to dock in Jersey because it didn't have a handling agent, and that it was also refused permission to dock in Guernsey Harbour due to a lack of berths.

Pictured top: The MV Jireh.